Careful Planting

 Everyone should start thinking about planting their gardens right now. It's the best ammunition we have to fight high prices which will definitely go up by the beginning of summer. Growing our own fruits and veggies will help in whittling down the food bill.

City , suburban and country families can benefit from growing their own food. Many cities have their own community gardens where all sorts of fruits and veggies are grown. There are even exotic ones like bok choy and Scotch bonnet peppers. However apartment dwellers can also benefit from their own little farms. Pots of tomatoes can be raised on balconies along with lettuce and spinach. You can also grow Meyer lemons and strawberries too, The key to success is placing them in plenty of bright sunshine and watering them on a regular basis. Feeding them is also crucial. Use a water soluble fertilizer. Of course these may be tempting to animal companions and kids so try to keep them out of harm's way. Luckily brownstones have small gardens where you can even keep chickens for eggs. These are perfect for gardens but just be warned There is shade and some veggies like tomatoes and strawberries won't give you a full harvest. There are veggies that can thrive in cool shady areas. Think collard greens , broccoli and any of the root vegetables. Carrots, potatoes , yams and turnips are great and they are versatile for all sorts of dishes.

Suburban and country gardens can be as big as you  want. Start with a list of the most versatile fruits and veggies. Strawberries and  blueberries can be used in a variety of recipes from jam to salad dressings to pies and cakes. Set aside a portion of your yard fro them. Tomatoes are a must. You can eat them fresh but also make everything from salsa, and ketchup to sauces and even jams. Bell peppers are also a good choice. These can be stuffed or turned into a tasty summery gazpacho. If you have a lot of space think about starting your own cornfield or melon field, It will take a few years for an orchard to produce. Apple trees take two to three years as do peach trees. You can plant them now and wait for the return. The same is true with grapes. Vines will take at least three years for a full harvest. If not them then think about growing fig, apricots and cherries. The second step is creating a plan and a key to your garden. Think about what areas are sunny and shady and plant accordingly. It;'s then getting the right soil and fertilizer as well as fencing to keep out the wild life.

Prices are going up. Food bills will be astronomical. Cut them by growing your own fruits and veggies. It's not only economical but fun too.

Front Yard Farming

Imagine taking a step out your door and picking a pumpkin for soup or tomatoes for a salad. You can, thanks to turning your front yard into a garden. It's a great way to save money as well as practicing sustainability. Besides, nothing beats cooking with  fresh ingredients.

Since it's the middle of the fall growing season, you can easily plan your garden for Spring 2017. First of all, decide if you want to do it yourself or leave the initial planning and planting to landscapers who specialize in front and back yard gardens. Also, decide on how much land you want to designate for growing.Discuss it with everyone in the family and also consider neighborhood activities. A front garden may have to be moved to the back or the side of your house if you live in a one with a lot of active kids.It's no fun having to deal with trampled vines or the occasional baseball or Frisbee lobbed into your corner of Cobb lettuce. Your yard's location is another aspect to take into consideration. If there's too much shade, then plan to plant veggies that grow well in them such as beets , carrots, and turnips . Kale, lettuce, and spinach are also shade lovers too.The same goes for plants,such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and peas that thrive in direct sunlight. If the yard is big enough then draw out sections where you;d like to plant three or four  kinds of veggies. Make sure you include paths for easy access.Another must is carving out space for a compost heap.It's usually in the farthest corner of the yard, far away from the house.

Many towns across the country have bans and restrictions on front yard gardens. Before you even plant, query and see if it's legal in your neck of the woods. Another potential roadblock may be neighbors. There are some who want their block to look like the cover of a landscaping magazine. The idea of  a front yard garden may not be to their snooty likings. Granted it's your property and you can do whatever you ant in it but there may be some opposition. Feel them out.If the all over tone is favorable, then tell them your plans . You may inspire them to start their own and begin a neighborhood collective where veggies and even herbs are traded.. Be prepared, though for some opposition. Gardens not only bring pests such as aphids but they also bring larger pests such as squirrels. raccoons, woodchucks and even bears. Your neighbors may not cotton to the idea of having their street turned into a salad bar for creatures. You could then wind up getting slapped with some kind of citation. What could be done to win them over is just tell you're only going to plan a small garden, They won;t wake up to see a cornfield or a pumpkin patch. A sneakier way of  introducing a front yard garden to the neighbors is planting decorative herbs, sort of the first step in starting a garden. Basil and chives can be used as ornamentals in a rose garden or arranged around fruit trees


A front yard garden is an excellent way to not only save the planet  but eat healthier. It's also a great way of .introdicing veggies to the family diet. Think about it in your plans for next Spring.